Truce with Osama 'absurd'
2004-04-15 13:53
London/Madrid - Britain has rejected an offer of a truce with European nations attributed to Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, saying the notion of an armistice with terrorists was "an absurdity".
The offer of peace if European countries withdrew troops from Muslim nations, made in an audio tape purportedly from bin Laden, was "a cynical ploy", a Foreign Office official said.
"The idea of an armistice with a group that defines itself by violence is an absurdity," he said.
The voice on the cassette, the authenticity of which could not be verified, was broadcast by Dubai-based Al-Arabiya television.
It offered a "reconciliation initiative" to European countries if they pledged not to be aggressive towards Muslims, "like the American plot against the big Islamic world".
The voice said the offer - to be left open for three months - came after opinion polls showed that European people wanted peace.
"In reviewing events taking place in our countries and in yours, an important truth is evident: we both face injustice because of your politicians," it said.
"It is in the interest of both parties to deprive them of spilling people's blood for their own interests and in their following of the White House."
Ploy to split Europe and the US
"This is a cynical ploy to split Europe and the US," the Foreign Office spokesman said.
"Neither we nor our European partners are going to be intimidated into withdrawing from action against terrorism or to break the trans-Atlantic alliance that has been the cornerstone of our freedom and defence policy for decades."
Unthinkable
In Rome, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said discussing a peace deal apparently offered by Osama bin Laden to European countries would be "unthinkable".
"It is absolutely unthinkable that we could sit around a table for discussions with bin Laden, everyone understands that," Frattini told reporters.
Frattini was speaking after the murder of one of four Italian hostages kidnapped by insurgents in Iraq who are demanding the withdrawal of US-led coalition forces from the country.
No possibility
European Commission President Romano Prodi said on Thursday there was "no possibility" of European nations accepting the offer.
"How could you possibly react to this statement? There is no possibility for a deal under a terrorist threat. It is completely impossible," he told reporters in Shanghai.
Incoming Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said that Spaniards should "neither listen to, nor pay attention to" the message.
"Those of us who seek peace, democracy and freedom do not need to listen or pay attention to him," said Moratinos.